Serena Williams Sent Out Of Rio Olympics By Elina Svitolina; Kerber, Keys, Kvitova Gold Favorites

The upsets continued Tuesday at the Rio Olympics. A day after losing three No. 1 seeds, the biggest favorite in the tournament tumbled when today when World No. 1 and 4-time gold medalist Serena Williams was bounced in routine fashion by the Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3.

“I really didn’t think about it even when I was 40-30 and I won finally the match,” said Svitolina. “It was just unreal feeling because I didn’t expect it, even at that moment that I could win. I think that helped me a lot to think, don’t expect mistakes from her but just fight and be focused.”

“Being in the moment helped me today, [to] just relax and go for my shots because I was doing some winners, especially the second set when it was really tight.”

Playing with a suspected shoulder injury, Serena could find the mark on her best weapon tossing in eight double faults. And at one point during the second, the American served up five doubles in one game.

At 34, this could be Serena’s last ever match at the Olympics.

“Obviously I am disappointed but she played really well, and the better player today won,” Serena said. “But I can’t wait for the next time and I know next time is going to be a really good match and I look forward to it.” said Williams.

“It was a great opportunity but it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but at least I was able to make it to Rio; that was one of my goals.”

Svitolina moves on to meet 2-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. The Czech had to work hard to get past Russian and fellow lefty Ekatarina Makarova 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Earlier in the day, the women’s singles also lost No. 3 seed Garbine Muguruza who was crushed by Puerto Rican Monica Puig 6-1, 6-1.

“I was very shocked about how she played today,” said Muguruza. “I think she played unbelievable. Also I didn’t find the way tactically to beat her.”

“I’m over it. I have to go to the court again, I have a doubles match. This is the Olympic Games, I know it’s frustrating and disappointing to lose, but it’s my first Games, I was not expecting to come here and win a gold medal like that.”

Puig will now face Germany’s Laura Siegemund who took out Venus conqueror 6-4, 6-3.

Madison Keys continued her first Olympics in strong fashion edging Carla Saurez Navarro of Spain 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Awaiting Keys on Wednesday in the quarterfinals is Daria Kasatkina, a 7-5, 6-2 victory over former French Open finalist Sara Errani.

The last quarter features a rematch from the Australian Open semifinals as Melbourne champion Angelique Kerber and Johanna Konta collide.

Kerber cruised past Sam Stosur 6-0, 7-5 while Konta battled hard to beat 2-time Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.